Today we experienced nature, art, and the power of occupation.
TABLE MOUNTAIN
We felt like we were on top of the world—literally—after riding a rotating gondola 3,563 feet up to the summit of Table Mountain. The gondola slowly spins as you and 65 of your newest best friends stand shoulder-to-shoulder, soaring skyward. Let’s just say… not everyone in our group found the experience as magical as they’d hoped. But once we stepped onto solid ground and were greeted with a view that defies description, it was totally worth it.
True to its name, Table Mountain has a flat top, which makes it perfect for hiking. We walked along trails that offer panoramic views that looked like something out of a dream. After our hike, we took a moment to quietly soak it all in before heading back down to earth—both literally and emotionally.
And yes, we will be showing everyone our pictures from the top and saying, “The pictures just don’t do it justice!” We’re sorry. But also… they really don’t.
As one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, Table Mountain more than lived up to the hype. It was truly wonderful!
Gondola Ride
District Six Museum
Next, we visited the District Six Museum—a powerful and emotional stop on our journey. District Six was once a thriving neighborhood in Cape Town until it was declared a “whites only” area on February 11, 1966, under the Group Areas Act, a policy that required people to live in designated areas based on racial classification. This led to the forced removal of around 60,000 residents, tearing families and communities apart.
Today, the museum stands as both a tribute to what was lost and a celebration of the resilience, culture, and spirit that lives on. One of the themes that struck us during our visit was how essential occupation—the meaningful activities people engage in every day—is to the life, strength, and recovery of a community.
Occupation helps communities thrive
Model Home
Our guide, Kevin, walked us through a recreated home from the old District Six. He shared that while many families didn’t have much in terms of material wealth, they had the freedom to live fully—cooking, cleaning, raising families, running businesses, and contributing to a lively neighborhood. That freedom to participate in daily life gave people dignity and purpose.
Occupation fosters resilience
One exhibit honored the musicians and dancers of District Six, especially the Langarm Pioneers—local legends who kept spirits alive through music and dance. Kevin told us that during these difficult times, what kept people going was gathering to play music. This spoke to us about the power of dance, art, and music—the occupations of the soul which help us thrive in difficult times.
Occupation supports healing
We also learned about the Memory Clay Workshops, a long-running initiative started in 1999 as part of a community healing process. These workshops were created in partnership with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and facilitated by the Interfaith Center for Ubuntu. Participants came together to share stories of loss, forced removals, and resilience, then shaped those experiences into clay objects—each one a symbol of memory, grief, or hope.
A sign in the exhibit read: “The healing process was one of remembering: of exploring those memories in a group and of the sharing of the pain and perceptions of the narrators. The process culminated in the making of clay objects that interpreted some aspect of experience related to this history, expressed feelings, or aimed to create little symbols of meaning. After one of the workshops a participant said, “We can speak even through clay.”
“We can speak even through clay”
– Memory clay workshop participant
BO-KAAP DISTRICT
We finished our day in the Bo-Kaap district, an area of Cape Town where colorful houses line the neighborhood streets. This thriving neighborhood is filled with art museums and artisans sharing their crafts.
Sunset View
Some of our students enjoyed another highlight today as they rode the Ferris wheel at sunset. OT school is intense, but occupational balance matters—and a sunset Ferris wheel ride is a perfect example of that!
